A system may receive a request for access to a first variable. The request may include a requested action and a variable identifier for the first variable. The request may also have a syntax that is incompatible with first data storage format. The system may parse the request to capture the variable identifier from the request. The system may also look up a location of the first variable in a catalog using the variable identifier. The location of the first variable may include the first data storage format. The system may generate a query to access the first variable. The syntax of the query may be compatible with the first data storage format. The system may then submit the query to access the first data storage format. The query may be configured to complete the requested action.